NCJ Number
162426
Date Published
March 2001
Length
20 pages
Annotation
This guide contains information on the criminal investigation of child sexual abuse; barriers to successful investigation of child sexual abuse allegations are noted, and investigatory techniques designed to overcome these barriers are suggested.
Abstract
Recognizing that interviews often play a key role in child sexual abuse investigations, the guide offers helpful hints for interviewing children and other possible victims, relatives, friends, nonoffending caregivers, and suspects. Specific questions to ask about the child, the suspect, and the relationship between the child and the suspect are identified. The guide also covers other investigative techniques, including searches and medical examinations, and focuses on the "secret" nature of child sexual abuse, the role of law enforcement in protecting children, interview procedures, physical evidence collection, and crime scene searches. A list of organizations involved in protecting children against sexual abuse is included. 12 references and 2 tables